New user here, but I made an account to get some extra tips on my chances, since applications start for me next month. CSU Fullerton is my top choice for school, along with CSU Long Beach, San Jose State University, San Francisco State University, CSU Northridge, and Chico State. For each of them, I am seeking an animation major ( or something similar, like art/entertainment with a specialization in computer animation or simply film and a certificate in animation). I’ll Include some of my recent stats below:
Most Recent ACT: 26 composite; 19 math, 34 English, 31 reading, 20 science
Super- score ACT: 27 composite; 19 math, 34 English, 31 reading, 24 science
Cumulative GPA: 4.44 (weighted)
SEMESTER 2 (Junior Year) GPA: 3.6
I live in-state for all of these schools, with the most distance being an 8-hour’s trip from my current residence to the school. I am also applying to UT Dallas (one of my reach schools), as well as Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Colorado Denver. While I’ll be applying to all of the schools I listed, I was mostly interested in my chances for my state (California) schools, especially Fullerton with my degree of choice, along with my grades at the moment. Please let me know, and thank you!!
How Cal States admit:
The Cal states admit by major and eligibility index. They really only consider GPA/Test scores/Geographic location and HS course rigor. Other than Cal Poly SLO, your EC’s are not considered.
You need to calculate your CSU/UC GPA using grades from a-g courses taken 10-11th.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Not sure which courses are a-g and will give you extra honors points, then use this link by typing in your HS name?
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/institution
Cal states and the majority of the UC’s use the capped weighted GPA.
Then calculate your Eligibility index:
If you took the Redesigned SAT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 800) + (SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) + Math Score) = Eligibility Index
Eligibility index for ACT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 200) + (ACT Composite x10)= Eligibility Index
**CSULB and SJSU use a modified EI for STEM/Engineering majors:
http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html
You will then be ranked based on EI and major and they accept from the top down until all spots are filled.
You will get priority at your local CSU which you can look up on this link. Local applicants usually require a lower EI to get an acceptance unless the program is highly impacted.
http://www.calstate.edu/sas/onestopkiosk/documents/CSULocalAdmission-ServiceAreas.pdf
Impacted campuses/majors: https://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/ImpactedProgramsMatrix.pdf
@Gumbymom
while some of the links did not work for me, I was able to figure out the CSU GPA calculator. To add a little information, in my town I also go to a place called The College Planning Center. If you pay to go there, they help you with everything, including workshops and even applying alongside you. With an account, you can check out their database for colleges, and most list the requirements for applications, as well as your range in ACT/SAT scores with accepted students (I’m either within or way surpassing the 50% range in the ACT; I did not take the SAT), and your high school GPA.
There, it says Fullerton requires your High School GPA (mine, as I said, was a weighted 4.44 - pulled straight from my transcript for a cumulative score). While I am not saying you’re wrong, I’m not seeing anywhere where it says for a college level calculation. Though, I am also pretty sure you mean that’s how they themselves calculate it.
Anyways, regardless, I did the calculator and my CSU GPA came up with a 3.38 (yikes).
As I was looking at Fullerton, it mentioned that ALL of their majors were impacted, including electronic art. I’m not really looking to see how the colleges accept (though that certainly helps me, and especially people trying to help me), so I just really want to know my chances of getting into these schools, including the out of state ones.
As stated in my above post, the CSU’s including CSU Fullerton admit by eligibility index and major. They use your CSU GPA (10-11th grades for the a-g course requirements) and your SAT/ACT score to calculate your eligibility index. They then rank each applicant for each major based on the eligibility index and accept from the top down. Being in the local in-service area (gave a link to determine if you are local) gives you priority by not necessarily a guarantee of admission especially to an impacted major and campus.
Since the CSU’s only use 10-11th grades for their GPA calculation and have their own weighting system, your posted GPA is pointless in determining your chances.
So based on your post, your CSU is 3.38 and your ACT superscore is 27. (3.38 x200) + (27x10)= 946. Each CSU has an admission threshold for each major which is not published except for SJSU. Around a 900+ EI for CSU Fullerton will make you a competitive applicant.
For CSULB, you want an EI of 1000+ for the best chances so a Low Reach.
For SJSU, an EI of 965 was required for animation and illustration last year so High Match.
For SFSU, CSUN and Chico state, they look like Match schools.
The EI’s can fluctuate from year to year, so depending upon the stats of each in-coming Freshman class, the EI threshold can be higher or lower than the previous year.
Hopefully I answered your questions and your chances. I am not familiar with the OOS schools but best of luck.
@Gumbymom thank you very much for your response! I understand now, and you helped a lot.
I should add that if you can submit a portfolio of your work (if accepted by each CSU), that could increase your chances.
Glad I was able to help and good luck with applications and acceptances.
@Gumbymom
just a quick question, based on the data I was able to get for you, what would you say my percent chances are of getting to my top three schools? let’s say hypothetically I get in to all of the colleges I apply to; I would almost 98 - 100% pick CSUF, but the other schools are also contenders. anyway, here are my top 3; I’d just like to hear your opinion on the level of difficulty. to note, these are also in order. (I know you did something similar above, but could you explain a little more about the match, low reach, etc.?)
- CSUF
- SJSU
- Chico State
based on the college planning center website it also said that a portfolio was “neither required or recommended”, though I don’t know if that is the case to this day, since the major I’d like is indeed an art degree. I went on a college tour to CSUF and the guide mentioned it wasn’t necessary, so I am unsure.
the only reason I’m tentative about SJSU is their tendency to cut people from the program. a family friend of mind goes there, and had to switch majors because he was cut from his own original choice because he didn’t meet some requirement.
I’m not trying to rely on CSUF and I know for sure that my chances are up to the college itself. But I do love the campus and program there, plus it’s affordable and only a handful of hours away from home.
I cannot give you percentages and if the schools allow you to submit a portfolio, depending upon its quality, it could impact your chances greatly. I would say that between the 3 schools listed, your best chance would be at Chico state, followed by CSUF and then SJSU. Apply to all the schools listed and you will have some choices come Spring.
@Gumbymom alright, thank you for the information! my college planner/aid has mentioned to me that I have about a 75% chance to get into fullerton based on my data. I just wanted to know if that seemed reasonable to you as well.